The
United States Navy plans to battle an expected fighter gap by keeping
its oldest F/A-18 Hornet fighter craft in the air over the next 10
years, even though major concerns remain related to the
next-generation of fighter aircraft.

There is a concern if the
Navy halts F-18 production, an
expected fighter gap of about 200 aircraft could dampen the
Navy's air superiority. Specifically, there is a concern the
fighter gap will impact the Navy's aircraft carrier fleet, as the
F-18 Hornet remains a popular aircraft for use in missions from
carriers.

However, Navy Rear Adm. Mike Manazir and Lockheed
Martin said it may be possible the next-generation Joint Strike
Fighter F-35C aircraft will be ready for deployment in late 2016.

Last year, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the F-18
would be phased out as the Navy transitioned to the F-35 Lightning II
fighter jet -- but delays, engine problems, and budget issues have
led some to lose faith in the program.

The GE/Rolls-Royce F136
engine has
been given a lifeline -- for now -- and will be funded as an
alternative to the current F135 engine from Pratt &
Whitney.

"The Marine Corps is committed
to an all-STOVL force,” Manazir recently claimed. That
means “we are in discussions with the Marine Corps on how we would”
integrate the two services’ fighters on a carrier. The F-35C
has longer range, more cargo capacity, and is optimized for carrier
operations,” he said. “The STOVL [model] is designed differently
and so it has slightly different characteristics, so we’re in
discussions right now about how you put those two together.”

The
USMC plans to replace the F/A-18 with the F-35 as well, but needs to
deal with the same production issues the Navy and Air Force
must deal with. The Air Force hasn't
thrown in the towel on the JSF -- and doesn't plan on
leaving it behind.

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